There are a number of highly respected English-language authors from this period, though not necessarily a great deal of writers whose work is taught in schools today. The novel you should choose will depend on your area of interest as well as your preference for size and type of novel.

Saul Bellow won the Nobel Prize for literature and wrote books exploring the cross-sections between intellectual, spiritual and modern life. Herzog, The Adventures of Augie March and Humbolt's Gift are all excellent (though large) books.

Two other writers publishing between 1960 and 1980 are Norman Mailer and James Baldwin. Baldwin wrote on subjects of race, identity and sexuality and the role of art in life. His most popular book today is his first novel, Go Tell It On the Mountain. (This book is well-suited to a reader fitting your description.)

Norman Mailer was once, arguably, the most popular writer in America. Today his stature is somewhat diminished, but as a writer he is worth looking into. American Dream is a nicely crafted novel from the 1960s.

There are many interesting books written in the time period you described. It depends on whether you want books about the period, or just written then. I suggest One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey as a good example for the time. I also suggest Catch 22 by Joseph Heller. Both books are mind-blowing.

The Outsiders (1967) by S.E. Hinton is great for high school students; it tells the story of two battling teenage gangs in the 1960s. It reads gritty and real, putting the reader in the middle of the action from the very first page.

Given that this addresses books I should have read, I would say that I am still struggling to find time to read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Also, I have been staring at A Clockwork Orange for a while now as well.

From the decade of the '60s I would say The Last Picture Show by Larry McMurtry would be a good read. In addition, I would add Fail Safe by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler. Furthermore, I would add The Spy Who Came In From The Cold by John le Carre to the 60s list.

From the decade of the '70s I would say Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley would also be a worthwhile read. I also suggest Sophie's Choice by William Styron.Moreover, I would put forth All the President's Men by Carl Bernstein as a significant book to read.

British author Anthony Burgess is a powerful literary voice speaking to us from the 1960s and 1970s. I strongly recommend Inside Mr. Enderby (1963) and Napoleon Symphony (1974).

The British Museum Is Falling Down (1962) by David Lodge is a hilarious postmodern view of contemporary man's predicaments in the postcolonial era.

The Magus (revised 1977) by John Fowles illustrates a popular trend of the decade, warning readers that deception was in play, and challenging them to find out the truth hidden among cleverly devised lies.

The list of excellent novels published in the period is endless. I have chosen these four on the basis of their original approach to plot and language.

There are a number of highly respected English-language authors
from this period, though not necessarily a great deal of writers
whose work is taught in schools today. The novel you should choose
will depend on your area of interest as well as your preference for
size and type of novel.

Saul Bellow won the Nobel Prize for literature and wrote books
exploring the cross-sections between intellectual, spiritual and
modern life. Herzog, The Adventures of Augie March
and Humbolt's Gift are all excellent (though large)
books.

Two other writers publishing between 1960 and 1980 are Norman
Mailer and James Baldwin. Baldwin wrote on subjects of race,
identity and sexuality and the role of art in life. His most
popular book today is his first novel, Go Tell It On
the Mountain. (This book is well-suited to a reader
fitting your description.)

Norman Mailer was once, arguably, the most popular writer in
America. Today his stature is somewhat diminished, but as a writer
he is worth looking into. American Dream is a nicely
crafted novel from the 1960s.

Go tell it on the mountain by James Baldwin was first published
in 1953, unfortunatly.. And since my English teacher is very tough,
she won't allow me to read it. BUT!: After reading a book from 1960
- 1980, we have to read a book from 1850 - 1960, so this book is a
good option to read then.

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is a great book mainly regarding communism and the way economy of England was run in the early 1800s. Now that the world is in the midst of a global financial crisis, it would be useful just to go through the ideas which the author has mentioned and ponder just for a second where full-blooded capitalism has brought us or, has it?